Case Study: Room Fumigation Using Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide—A Versatile and Economic Fumigation Method

Kuemin, Daniel; Gsell Albert, Monika; Summermatter, Katharina (2019). Case Study: Room Fumigation Using Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide—A Versatile and Economic Fumigation Method. Applied Biosafety, 24(4), pp. 1-7. Sage 10.1177/1535676019887049

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Introduction:
Formaldehyde is still the method of choice for fumigation of rooms and HEPA filters at high- and maximumcontainment facilities because of its proven track record and low cost. However, formaldehyde has been shown to be carcinogenic and should ideally be replaced by other, less hazardous methods. This change has in part been hampered by the relatively high cost of alternative methods.
Methods:
Here, we provide examples of room fumigations using aerosolized hydrogen peroxide showing not only that it can be used economically but also that it is a versatile method and may be used under circumstances not normally suited for fumigation.
Results and Discussion:
Four examples of fumigation setups are presented that illustrate the versatility, ease of use, and adaptability of aerosolized hydrogen peroxide as a fumigant. In addition, we demonstrate that aerosolized hydrogen peroxide passes through HEPA filters in biological safety cabinets and individually ventilated cage racks.
Conclusions:
Considering that the fumigation method presented here is simple and highly effective, we expect it to serve as a relatively cost-effective alternative to formaldehyde fumigation for disinfecting potentially contaminated rooms and surfaces.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute for Infectious Diseases > Research
04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute for Infectious Diseases > Clinical Infectiology [discontinued]
04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute for Infectious Diseases > Clinical Microbiology

UniBE Contributor:

Gsell-Albert, Monika, Summermatter, Kathrin

Subjects:

500 Science > 570 Life sciences; biology
600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health

ISSN:

2470-1246

Publisher:

Sage

Funders:

[UNSPECIFIED] Basler & Hofmann AG, Bachweg 1, Esslingen 8133, Switzerland ; [UNSPECIFIED] Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland ; [UNSPECIFIED] Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

Language:

English

Submitter:

Katharina Summermatter

Date Deposited:

28 Nov 2019 13:14

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 15:32

Publisher DOI:

10.1177/1535676019887049

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.135094

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/135094

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